Zoe Ball breaks down in tears as she issues heartbreaking farewell during final BBC Radio 2 show
Zoe Ball broke down in tears during her final BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning, marking the end of her six-year tenure as the station’s first female breakfast show host.
The emotional presenter, 53, admitted she could barely see the controls through her tears as she began her last broadcast.
“Everything’s going to go wrong because I can’t see the buttons through my giddy tears,” Ball told listeners as she kicked off her farewell show.
The broadcaster was joined by her whole team in the studio for the momentous occasion.
“We’ve had some tears already. We don’t quite know what to do with ourselves this morning, do we? I’ve come in and I suddenly can’t remember how to press the button,” she confessed.
Ball began her final show with a playful nod to Les Miserables, adapting lines from “One Day More” before playing Daft Punk’s “One More Time”.
The presenter revealed she had received touching messages from a host of celebrities, including Cher, David Tennant and Strictly’s Oti Mabuse.
“We’re all pretending we’re going to be OK, that the emotion isn’t getting to us – but it’s definitely getting to us. So hold tight!” she told her audience.
One early morning listener shared that he was driving home for Christmas ahead of schedule specifically to catch her final broadcast.
“I’ve already had a little cry on Patrick! But we’re going to have lots of fun today,” Ball added, promising to play her favourite Christmas and non-Christmas songs.
During the emotional broadcast, Ball reconnected with several long-time listeners, including a woman who had named her daughter after the presenter when she made history as Radio 2’s first female breakfast show host six years ago.
The show featured a special package of heartfelt messages from BBC Radio’s biggest names, with both Dermot O’Leary and Scott Mills sharing their well-wishes.
“Right that’s it, I’ve gone,” Ball said through tears after hearing the tributes from her colleagues.
The presenter had already bid farewell to her team earlier this week during an emotional lunch at London’s Langan’s Brasserie restaurant in Mayfair.
She was seen wiping away tears while reminiscing with colleagues including Richie Anderson and Tina Daheley at the farewell meal.
Ball announced her departure from Radio 2 last month, saying it was time to “step away from the very early mornings and focus on family”.
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“I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. I’m excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings,” she explained.
The BBC has confirmed that Scott Mills will take over Ball’s coveted breakfast slot, moving from his current weekday afternoon programme.
Mills, who has been friends with Ball for 25 years, said he was “beyond excited to be handed the baton”.
“It really is a lifelong dream come true to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the new presenter of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show,” Mills said.
Ball expressed her support for her successor, saying she was “beyond thrilled” that her “close friend” would be taking over.